Tax rebate deadline extended to Oct. 2

The Department of Revenue is giving taxpayers an additional day to file for property-tax rebates. They now have until midnight Monday, Oct. 2, to file online or by mail.

“Our office is assisting with the rebates for taxpayers who may not be comfortable with the online forms,” says Wayne Freeman, lead appraiser with the Montana Department of Revenue’s office in Polson.

Walk-ins are welcome from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday at the office, located at 3 Ninth Ave. W., Suite 3 in Polson.

Freeman added that “most folks have been successful applying online at getmyrebate.mt.gov.”

According to the Department of Revenue, over 180,000 claims have been approved, totaling $120 million, which is about 80% of estimated potential claims.

Whether they file online or by mail, taxpayers will need the following information to submit their claim:

1. Physical address of their principal residence in 2022
2. Geocode of their principal residence in 2022, which can be found at property.mt.gov
3. Amount of property taxes paid as reflected on the 2022 tax bill for the principal residence
4. Names and social security numbers of applicant, spouse and dependents as reflected on the filer’s 2022 Montana income-tax return
5. Current mailing address
6. If available, the Letter ID on the Montana Property Tax Rebate letter sent by the Montana Department of Revenue in August 2023 (for identity verification purposes)

Freeman said his office can help taxpayers locate their geocode (which also appears on their property-tax statements) and track down the amount they paid in property taxes for 2022.

“Our office will assist in processing your rebate until we close the doors at 4 p.m. Monday, with online submissions accepted until midnight,” he said. Mailed forms must be postmarked by Oct. 2.

Qualified taxpayers may receive a rebate of up to $675 per year for property taxes paid for 2022; the rebate will also be available for taxes paid for 2023.

According to the Department of Revenue, rebates filed online are processed within 30 days, while those filed by mail can take up to 90 days. All rebates will be sent by paper check.